Tigers cool off Koolers

Reigning champion Davao Occidental-Cocolife did just enough to fend off a late charge by Batang Kankaloo-Caloocan, hacking out a 67-61 decision for its seventh straight win in the Manila Bankers Life-Pilipinas Super League Pro Division Second Conference Dumper Cup late Saturday at the Caloocan Sports Complex.

Former Philippine Basketball Association big man Larry Rodriguez showed the way for the Tigers with 13 points and eight rebounds, while Keith Agovida added nine markers, six boards, and two assists.

The victory allowed Davao Occidental to stretch its unbeaten run and score a fitting follow-up to an 81-79 escape over Quezon City last week for a 7-0 mark.

The Koolers saw their five-game winning streak — including a 107-80 drubbing of Bagong Cabuyao-Homelab

Nation last Monday — come to a screeching halt and fell to 5-2, still good for fifth.

In other games, Will Gozum had a successful Pampanga Royce Hotel debut, helping waylay the Beacons, 72-65, to rise to 6-0 for second.

The reigning National Collegiate Athletic Association Most Valuable Player played 12 minutes for seven points and two rebounds.

Former Ateneo Blue Eagle BJ Andrade led the balanced attack for the Sandro Soriano-mentored squad with nine points, two steals, two rebounds, and two assists.

Nueva Ecija also snapped a three-game losing slide with a thrilling 72-71 escape over the erstwhile unscathed Pampanga G Lanterns.

Gabby Espinas paced Caloocan with a double-double of 22 points, three caroms, and three dimes, while Paul Sanga got 12 and seven.